NHL releases Sharks-Detroit complete schedule

Here’s the schedule, but don’t rule out Comcast coverage just yet. My understanding is that Versus can declare two games “exclusive” and will do on the opener, but no details beyond that:WESTERN CONFERENCE

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

What, a curse because it’s happened twice in a row? Over the span of 40+ years since the league expanded to more than 6 teams? Eh. I don’t buy it. If it happens again I’ll be suspicious, but at two in a row, the sample size only accounts for bad luck.

What I’ll certainly say is cursed is hubris, though. Make no mistake about it, Caps fans this year sounded exactly like we did last year. Caps blogs last year, Sharks blogs last year. Victory was all but inevitable, and everyone looked at that Caps/Pens series in round 3, without even bothering to keep their eyes on the Caps/Habs and Caps/Flyers series that’d have to happen first.

Hubris. Nothing else but. It’ll f— you every time.

Nick

KM–The other difference is intangible: San Jose doesn’t feel like it’s entitled to anything this year. Judging from the first series and from quotes in the news, they know they’re only 1/4 of the way done. No one is talking about who they’ll face in round 3 or in the finals, they’re only talking about facing Detroit.

nolimits

It could be a curse…since 1985 only 7 President’s Trophy winners went on to win the cup. Detroit won the trophy 4 times in that span and won the cup twice so we were “upset” twice as well. Never has a first time PT winner won the cup.
Your best players have to be your best players…your only advantage might be our rookie goaltender.

O’Puck

So, Randy and Drew are out of the first two games with upper body injuries

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks OregonRachel

But here’s the thing, nolimits, you have a back-up goalie that can step right in and take over should you need him. Ozzy has proven he can come in and carry you to the Cup in the past, so we can’t rely on “oh, well, they have a rookie goaltender”. It’s gonna’ take a whole team effort, and nothing short of it.

nolimits

I agree OregonRachel…a team effort is what your Sharks need and lead by example to quote the phrase…I think Ozzie only started like 12 games in the regular season so I’m not sure he could come in and steal a game(s) like he used too. He had way more playing time back then. This for sure is the next level for Howard as the Yotes, although they gave us a run, are not the Sharks.

EC

#70

You really believe the Sharks are losing money when they sell out every game?

Ha ha ha, that’s a good one. Just because the sharks say it, I wouldn’t believe it. “Sharks Operations”? meh How about the holding Co? It’s akin to some hollywood production co saying their $500M grossing movie didn’t make a cent.

Magic accounting — it makes money disappear.

Tano

EC, the word from the NHL owners and clubs is that normally the regular season is a break even situation, and the post season is when they make money. Hence the high desire by owners to go to the post season.

I know that it depends on how many seats they sell during the regular season and many other factors but…it kind of makes sense to me.

@64 Teejay wrote – The Sharks, Hawks, Wings, and Pen’s are the only elite teams left in the playoffs. If they set their mind to it, I think they can handle the Wings. The Hawks will be tough and the Pen’s won’t put up much of a fight.
.
.
I hope you are right. If your thinking these are the only good teams left, and I think you said it based on the regular season standing, then you might be in for a surprise. No one could have predicted the Habs upset of the Caps. That’s why the games need to be played. I wouldn’t be overly optimistic. Let’s just hope we win Game 1. I really fear the Red Wings…just saying.

ice

“For the Sharks to win its choking dog first-liners have to actually show up in the post-season, something that is completely out of the norm for Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, two good guys who just never seem to find another level come springtime.”
—–
i dont get why marleau keeps getting lumped in with thornton in this way. yes he wasnt very effective in the first round. but i can think of PLENTY of times in the last 10 years where marleau played very well in the post season. doesnt he still hold the record for the most game winning goals in the post season for a shark?

BASS

I agree, Ice. Marleau is a stud.

sjweb

another team choking in the east does not change one iota the Sharks choke last year. and if they lose this series there will be core guys going bye bye.

sjweb

Marleau had to be stripped of his “C” by DW. that tells you plenty about his lack of getting the job done.

y

Ice–Marleau, is the Sharks ALL TIME playoff goal, and point getter…’nuf said. People who don’t get that, won’t. Marleau, is the man, and I would hate to see him in a different uniform.

The Real Teal

LeBrun wrote the Sharks preview over at ESPN.com and I think it’s spot on with how I feel most fans of both teams are viewing this series. He couldn’t help but go with Detroit after the game 7 win over Phoenix, and predicted Wings in 7 in triple overtime.

I also loved the stats he brought up; that in the 2007 series loss to Detroit, Nabby was 1.93 GAA and .937 save %. So let’s hope that trend continues and we have all lines firing.

Man tonight can not come fast enough for me. I think this is going to be a wonderful series, but I am pulling for us to exorcise the 800lb back hanging octopus. Is Ms. Suleman (octomom) a wings fan?

db

in that ’07 series it was nabokov who skated out halfway to the blue line and then handed the puck right to Datsyuk for an empty net goal in game 2 that turned that game and the series around. the Sharks won game 1 and were winning game 2 until he blew it. not to mention the weak last minute wrist shot that beat him in game 4 in SJ

checking is usually tight and goals are hard to come by in close checking playoff series, so stats are meaningless unless they are seen in the light of bad goals allowed.

Kyle

I’m glad I’m not the only one that has noticed Hat Trick Patrick’s post-season prowess in the past. One series does not a career make.

Martin Brody

This year’s playoffs is wide open. IMHO any of the remaining eight teams has a legitimate chance of winning the Stanley Cup. Would you be surprised if the Boston Bruins or Philly Flyers win the Stanley Cup? I have a strange feeling that we will see more upsets, and the Stanley Cup winner won’t be from the elite teams mentioned above.

The Real Teal

db – yea I remember…

…but that gaffe only makes his numbers look even better.

That mistake I think would qualify as this year’s ‘out-of-position-along-the-post’ play. They may not have recovered in 2007, but I think he and the team responded just fine (this year).

The Real Teal

-118 agreed.

Could you imagine a Bruins-Habs eastern finals? *drool*

Martin Brody

It comes down to who has the strongest will to win collectively as a team.

Nick

So we have San Jose vs Detroit now, and potentially San Jose vs Boston in the finals (not likely, but potentially).

Sheesh, it really is almost as if fate is trying to make up for last year…

db

sorry but the only numbers that count are playoff series wins, and he cost them that Det series, and there was no Joe P to rescue him.

A

Linkster re: #75- That isn’t easy for those of us with a DVR.

Dirty

Beloved El Stupido strikes again. Get your head out of your past Purdy and thanks for supporting the home team.

http://mercurynews.com snomanderwhl

The wings are comin in tired, but dont let that fool ya none, cuz they still have it going on, Holmstrom & Franzen havent scored yet, but thats about to change real quick. The wings will be running on all cylinders tonite, bet on it, they could score 8 or 9 times tonite, they will all be involved. Watch out for Newfoundland Dan, hes about to get going, Helm will burn somebody, and Kronwall will be litein people up,
and lets not forget the kid they call the applicater, Abdelkader will have a good game
hes gritty and tuff. Ya`ll can forget about Osgood too, cuz Mr Howard runs the show
from now on for the wings, and you will get a good look at him tonite.

The Real Teal

Will you give us props if we make Howard cry too?

The Real Teal

“them” not “us” sorry Nick…

The Real Teal

ugh and “they” not “we”

ice

i must have some sort of incription issue, cuz all i see from snomanderwhl in that last post is “blablabla douche blablabla bag blablablabla name dropping blablablabla”

GP

“No one could have predicted the Habs upset of the Caps.”

Well, I didn’t predict, because you’re correct about predicting the result of a hockey game, but I think I was only one to publish the thought that the Habs had a better chance, if not the best chance than the other teams in the race for 8th in the EAST.

the topic of discussion on that day was the home ice advantage and someone asked if the Sharks would have home ice throughout. That is when I explained the scenario that would get the Sharks home ice in the finals should they make it to rnd 4.

Dirty

Wow I didn’t know the Merc was using the retro-innovative technology of Smell-o-Vision! *sniff sniff* Yep, I know what that is!

GSDI! Under 7 hours and counting.

Johnny San Jose

Martin Brody — Although I don’t always agree with what you post here, I appreciate you “growing up” a litlle over the last month and respectfully posting your thoughts. It’s been noticed.

Should be a tough round 2 but who knows. It may be fate where the Sharks sweep the Wings. Move past Detroit and wind up with Boston in the finals where Thornton has 2 points/game as well as the overtime winner in game 6 to clinch it for the Sharks in Boston.

Then again… my crystal ball hasn’t worked since I got it. Damn knock offs. Oh well… that’s why they play the game.

Johnny San Jose

“Move past Detroit” should have read: move past Chicago.

couchfan

Red wings are already in the sinbin for a late hit, I mean late arrival, in to SJC after the curfew period.

Jason

#126 – snomanderwhl

“The wings are comin in tired, but dont let that fool ya none, cuz they still have it going on, Holmstrom & Franzen havent scored yet, but thats about to change real quick. The wings will be running on all cylinders tonite, bet on it, they could score 8 or 9 times tonite, they will all be involved. Watch out for Newfoundland Dan, hes about to get going, Helm will burn somebody, and Kronwall will be litein people up,
and lets not forget the kid they call the applicater, Abdelkader will have a good game
hes gritty and tuff. Ya`ll can forget about Osgood too, cuz Mr Howard runs the show
from now on for the wings, and you will get a good look at him tonite.”

In English please.

80shockey

Hopefully we lay the body on them extra hard and constantly. I feel wearing them down will help our D improve it’s chances of slowing their forwards down. Maybe get them to take more penalties for us to exploit. Howeve they have the bodies to do exactly the same which could make for one heck of a series. I like what someone said earlier, it will come down to will.

ice

jason, refeer to my post above to decifer what snomanderwhl was saying

Haskel

Can’t wait for tonight!!!!! Scored some tix to the game!
I just hope the Sharks come out hard and don’t let Detroit get the feet under them. Should be a good one.
GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Martin Brody

Does anyone know if Link Gaetz is going to dress for tonight’s game?

Bri

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone else has AT&T Uverse and is seeing that in the guide, Versus doesn’t have a hockey game starting at 6:00. They have one that ends at 6:30, and another that starts at 7:00 (and these games aren’t labeled with what series they are), with “Hockey Central” in between.

I’m working tonight at an event and need to record the game but the guide doesn’t appear to be right, so I don’t know what to set to record…

Any ideas? Their schedule online is correct; they need to update the TV guide or else I don’t think we can record!

Sharks Finn

@Bri
Don’t rely on the guide it probably hasn’t been updated. The game is definitely at 6pm as the online schedule, nhl, sharks all have announced. you’ll have to manually program your tivo (or whatever) to record 6:00 – 8:30 on versus (or longer if you’ve got the space in case of OT)

Nick

Snowmander sounds like a pokemon name.

The Dude

Trivial but interesting:

Every single seed (from #1 through #8) is still represented in the playoffs

I can’t imagine this happening again for a very, very long time, if ever.

Haskel

@ Bri

set your DVR to record for a time period instead of a show.

The Real Teal

Or Bri, setting a manual recording is best, or you can just have the DVR record the playoffs prior to 630, the hockey central inbetween and the playoffs after than and deal with a ton of fast forwarding.

I wanted to give JB props for -82 last thread.. well done JB! After reading that I had to share this story that just happened to me. (Hard to type and drive)

Well I was trying to be a desperado on the freeway, when I couldn’t believe my lyin’ eyes. I think I just saw a witchy woman driving a teal Hyundai Tiberon with WTC-GSDI as the license plates pass me by. Talk about life in the fast lane! Well after that thrill was gone and upon reflect, I know we are all a victim of love for the Sharks, but love will keep us alive.

Bri

@Sharks Finn and Haskel

Well thanks, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!

I’m still new to having TiVo-like capabilities, so give me a break

NickG

The Sharks, Hawks, Wings, and Pen’s are the only elite teams left in the playoffs.

You’re forgetting the Canucks in that list. There’s a good chance that they are the team to come out of the Western Conference.